10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Ford F-150 Powers Past 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
With pandemic-weary Americans raring to travel for the summer — but perhaps not quite ready just yet to return to resorts or other heavily trafficked destinations — RVing has enjoyed a surge in popularity. Well, if the 2021 Ford F-150 is on the shortlist of vehicles to tow your camper on a socially distanced sojourn, here’s something to get charged up about: If all the available camper hookups are occupied by fellow “Nomadland” aspirants embracing that see-you-down-the-road life, you can just put ’er in Park and use the pickup to power your mobile lodging accommodations.
Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Tesla Model 3 Most American, But Ford Maverick Most Popular
- ${price_badge()}
- ${ami_badge()}
- ${battery_badge()}${ev_report_link()}
- ${hot_car_badge()}
- ${award_badge()}
- ${cpo_badge()}
${price_badge_description}
${ami_badge_description}
The EV Battery Rating is based on this vehicle's current expected range relative to the vehicles expected range when new. ${battery_badge_text}
Certified cars are manufacturer warrantied and typically go through a rigorous multi-point inspection.
This car is likely to sell soon based on the price, features, and condition.
${award_blurb}
${award_two_blurb}
Shop the 2021 Ford F-150 near you
In one of Cars.com’s most popular articles of the past week, Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman recounts how he did just that, using the Pro Power Onboard function of Cars.com’s Best of 2021 award-winning Ford F-150. This game-changing feature allows drivers to use the F-150 as a generator, powered by the hybrid truck’s lithium-ion battery and turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6,to plug their arsenal of electronic items into outlets in the bed or cabin and stay juiced as long as the gasoline holds out.
For his purposes, Bragman plugged into the top-tier 7.2-kilowatt version of the Pro Power Onboard feature to power an Airstream Flying Cloud 25FB camper trailer. The Cars.com F-150’s system boasts four 20-volt, 20-amp household outlets and one twist-lock, 240-volt, 30-amp National Electrical Manufacturers Association L14-30R outlet. With that setup, Bragman was able to keep two air conditioners, a fridge-and-freezer combo, lights, water pump, a TV, kitchen appliances and other convenience components running as long as he needed them.
“The display on the Ford’s multimedia system will tell you just how much load the system is under at any given time, and it was clear that even at full tilt, our Airstream never approached the limit of what the Ford could put out,” Bragman explains in his story, in which he estimates that he could’ve run his little household for a full three days before running out of fuel.
For the full download on Bragman’s F-150-powered camping trip — including some tips and tricks as well as a note about the one time he lost power in the middle of the night — follow the link below to the No. 4 story on this week’s countdown.
In other news involving a new hybrid version of an outdoor-inclined vehicle, Jeep offered the first peek at its all-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe ahead of its anticipated bow at the 2021 New York International Auto Show in August. The plug-in hybrid version of the venerable mid-size SUV follows the 2021 Wrangler 4xe in Jeep’s growing electrified lineup. Beyond exterior and interior styling cues, which ostensibly carry over from the already-introduced three-row 2021 Grand Cherokee L, few specifics are known about the Grand Cherokee 4xe — though it bears noting that the teaser image also constitutes our first inkling of what the non-L, non-hybrid Grand Cherokee will look like come its Big Apple appearance.
For the few details we do know about the Grand Cherokee 4xe, as well as a bit of educated speculation, follow the link below to the No. 5 news article on this week’s countdown.
Beyond that, we have headlines on the regular Wrangler, Honda Civic, BMW 2 Series, Ram 1500, BMW M440 and Lincoln Aviator, so be sure to check out the whole list. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. Which 3-Row SUVs Offer Captain’s Chairs?
2. Is the 2022 Honda Civic a Good Car? 6 Pros and 2 Cons
3. 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe Review: Not Bad, Just Confusing
4. Game Changer: Using Ford F-150’s Pro Power Onboard for Off-the-Grid Camping
5. Here’s Our First Glimpse of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
6. Which Cars Have Panoramic Moonroofs or Sunroofs?
7. 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe Gains Power, Loses Manual
8. When Dinosaurs Ruled the … Drag Strip? Just How Quick Is the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX?
9. Is the BMW M440i a Good Car?: 4 Pros, 3 Cons
10. 2021 Lincoln Aviator Plug-In Hybrid: Real-World MPG
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
